Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Dec 28: A young Ayyappa devotee committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree at Moodukere in Beejadi near Koteshwar here on Sunday December 28.

The deceased has been identified as Prakash Devadiga (29), son of Basava and Gulabi Devadiga, residents of Hosmane, Doddoni in Beejady.

Prakash had been working for several years in the surgery department of Vittal Nethralaya in Kundapur. Just last week he wore the Ayyappa Mala, and was scheduled to leave for Sabarimala on December 31.

It is said that on Saturday December 27 night, he slept along with other Ayyappa devotees under a roof near his house. At around midnight he got up and went out. When he did not return even after half an hour, worried family members, locals and the other Ayyappa devotees started searching for him. However, Prakash was nowhere to be found.

On Sunday morning, a woman who went to Moodukere along with her son to tie up a cow noticed a body hanging from a tree near a pond. She immediately informed the locals and the body was identified as that of Prakash.

Prakash, a bachelor, was active in the local Mahalingeshwara Cultural Association and was a good organizer. He was also actively involved in social works. Locals said that he had no bad habits.

The reason for the suicide is not yet known. However, sources said that over the last three or four months, Prakash had become a little queit and did not mingle much with people.

Prakash leaves behind his parents and three brothers.

Kundapur police have registered a case.